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Pakistan Arabian SeaKARACHI, Nov 19: The Pakistan government should declare the Astola Island a marine national park and take urgent steps to conserve what is left of this precious natural resource having a great ecological and economical value.
The co-director of Marine Conservation International, Edinburgh, Scotland and DelPHE coordinator Pakistan, Dr Rupert Ormond, made this point at a seminar, Marine biodiversity conservation: a key to the human livelihood, organised by the Centre of Excellence in Marine Biology, Karachi University, in collaboration with the British Council, Karachi, on Monday.
The seminar marked the launch of a DelPHE project, designed to enhance the capacity of participating institutions from Pakistan and Bangladesh to asses, monitor and manage biodiversity for conservation and develop eco-friendly aquaculture and fisheries technology by utilising the UK expertise. The project is funded by the Department for International Development, the UK.
Narrating his account of the hard corals and reef fish assemblage in Pakistan, Dr Ormond said older scientific literature usually showed no existence of coral or coral reefs in Pakistani waters, though these were abundantly found in the adjacent areas like the Gulf of Kutch, Gujarat, India and Oman.
more info about ASTOLA ISLAND including maps, reviews, and ratings...
Pakistan Arabian SeaKarachi Scuba Diving Center (KSDC)
Established in 1989 by Yousuf Ali
Master Instructor from
PADI Ca. KSDC Provides a complete range of instructions through training programs with information, advice and assistance
With an objective of promoting Swimming, lifesaving, Scuba Diving, skin diving and other water sports
• Jiwani
o Exploring the fossilize coral reef on the top of the Plato 200meters above the sea level, a total of 30 different species of the corals were found
o Observed the rehabilitation of the mangroves in the Delta of Dasht River supervised by IUCN Jiwani station.
o The three high cliff turtle’s beaches protected by WWF-Pakistan, last year only they have released. Over 100,000. Baby turtles in to the sea.
o Survey the underwater cost of Jiwani hopping to sea some sort of coral formation but to our surprise, no concentration of corals were found under the sea near (Jiwani harbor, turtle beaches, Turtle watching cliff in the east of Jiwani) but lot of sponges, burgundies, ferns and fans, soft corals some hard corals but small patches grown under the rocks where they were protected by the harsh monsoon weather condition.
• Astola Island
The island is situated in the northern Arabian Sea, approximately 25 kilometers off the mainland coast, 40 kilometers East-Southeast of Pasni Harbor, in Balochistan province.
Geographical coordinates: 25°07'N, 63°52'E
Length approximately 6 kilometers
Width approximately 500 meters
Altitude: (average and/or max. & min.) 0 - 200 m
The island is subject to strong wave attack during the southwest monsoons, when wave height exceeds 3.5 meters. The coastline therefore suffers from severe erosion and most of the littoral material is lost to the sea.
The island supports some rare and vulnerable species of animals such as endanger species Green turtle (Chelonia mydas) and quite possibly critically endanger species Hawksbill turtle (Eretmochelys imbracata)
The site is of special value for maintaining the genetic and ecological diversity of the area. The beauty of Astola is that several different ecosystems can be seen on the island. The ecosystems and the plants and animals found there are no longer common elsewhere in Pakistan.
The gorgeous under water world is amazing different forms of cnidarians, Molluscs, Worms, Fishes, Echinoderms, Crustaceans, and other Vertebrates and invertebrates were found in abundance.
Coral reefs are a vital natural resource found in tropical waters throughout the world (Spalding et al. 2001). They are important not only to adjacent coastal communities, where they are often a source of livelihood, but also to national and international communities, where they contribute in various ways to oceanic production and deliver other significant benefits related to their role in tourism, recreation and coastal protection, and as indicators for climate change and waste treatment,. As more research findings indicate that the species richness and biodiversity contained in reef ecosystems may not regenerate once destroyed, the conservation of coral reefs has become a major concern, people dependent on coral reefs are some of the most vulnerable groups in many coastal and island communities, because reef and reef-based resources are often their primary means of food production, source of income and livelihood
KSDC’S LIBRARY The Plant and Animals of Karachi Coast
Molluscs
Snails
Bivalves
Clams
Oysters
Squids
Cuttlefish
Octopuses
Slugs and Snails without Shell
Sear hares
Nudibranchs
Worms
Flatworm
Bristleworm
Tubeworm
Fan worm
Peanut worm
Acorn worm
Fishes
Plants
Echinoderms
Sea Stars
Sea Cucumbers
Sand Dollars
Sea Urchins
Brittle Star
Other Invertebrates
Horseshoe crab
Crab
Spiders
Sponges
Ascidians
Bryozoans
Cnidarians
Anemones
Sea Pens
Corals
Crustaceans
Crabs
Hermit crab
Shrimps
Lobster
Mantis shrimp
Sea slaters
Barnacles
Vertebrates
Snakes
Tsunami 2004
As ...
more info about CHERNA ISLAND including maps, reviews, and ratings...
Ireland AtlanticTidal bay, kilometres long, narrow opening to ocean.
Slack for 20-30 mins. Drift dive otherwise - drift out just before low water and back in as tide turns.
No facilities, shore dive.
more info about Streamstown Bay including maps, reviews, and ratings...
Myanmar (Burma) Andaman SeaBlack rock is a barren piece of rock about 80m long by 7m wide, isolated in the middle of the Mergui Archipelago about 60miles from the mainland. The site draws in some big fish like the Whale shark, Manta ray, Bull sharks, Jenkins ray's, Bloteched fantail ray's, as well as they usual Indian Ocean tropical reef fish. Black rock is also a great spot for macro and you can find Seahorses, Harlequin shrimp, Ornate Ghost pipefish, many types of Nudibranch, not found in neighbouring Thailand, the list goes on. On the East side you have a gentle sploing reef slope down to 30m and the sand. A little further from the reef you can find scattered boulder at depths 40-60+m and is often the playground for the sharks and ray's. On the west side you have a wall that descends down to 35m and then the rocks, boulders and sand slope off to 40-60+m.
For me this site is the Burma equivalent of Thailand's Richelieu rock. I have seen more big stuff here than all my years of diving at Richelieu rock. A place thats best dived between Jan-Apr.
more info about Black Rock, Mergui Archipelago including maps, reviews, and ratings...
Malaysia South China SeaThe dive site is a large pinnacle sea mount, the tip of which protrudes from the sea. The base of the mount is around 24 metres where you can find Nurse Sharks and Blue-Spotted Ribbontail Rays resting under coral during the day. There is a shelf at about 12 metres which is covered in anemones and soft corals. Schools of Bigeye Snapper hang around the North side with Yellowtail Barracuda patrolling nearby. The currents can be strong here, but you can usually shelter on the leeside, if it's not possible to go completely around. It is a very popular dive site and usually has 5 to 6 boats on it in the morning, so it can get a bit congested with dive groups. Late afternoon is usually best for avoiding the crowds. Sea Temp in May 29c
For dive site photos
website more info about Temple of the Sea (Tokong Laut) including maps, reviews, and ratings...
Ecuador PacificFantastic potential.
Liveaboard diving.
more info about The Pinnacle, Wolf Island, Galapagos. including maps, reviews, and ratings...
Thailand Andaman SeaBeautiful divesite northwest of Phi Phi Ley between Palong and Maya Bay. Reef slope with boulders and partly wall, partly covered with dendronephtya, sea fans and barrel sponges. Interesting macro life like seahorses, frogfish, ghost pipe fish, shrimpfish, pipefish. Hawksbill turtles are most of the time around, occasionally leopard and blacktip reef sharks.
more info about Malong, Koh Phi Phi Ley including maps, reviews, and ratings...
Thailand Andaman SeaLocated on the north west side of Phi Phi Ley. Partly wall (laying in north-southern direction) with dendronephtya soft corals, sea fans. Sandy bottom around 15-20m, boulders laying around, on the outer ones cleaning stations with interesting macro life: nudibranch, cleaner shrimp, ghost pipe fish, seahorse, frog fish, pipe fish. Shoals of snappers. Hawksbill turtles and occasional leopard sharks around. In the north temporaly blacktip reef sharks seen.
more info about Palong, Koh Phi Phi Ley including maps, reviews, and ratings...
Egypt Red SeaMany corals, fish and anemones.
more info about Small Crack including maps, reviews, and ratings...
United Kingdom North Sealaunch from Seahouses. Loads of wrecks. Not for beginners as there are some strong currents. The seals are very inquisitive and will nibble your fins
more info about Farne Islands including maps, reviews, and ratings...
Egypt Red SeaAn exellent dive, I beleive the best of the four reefs of the Straights of Tiran off Sharm. Both sides of the reef have abundant marine life, and during the warmer months hammer heads can be seen on the north side.
more info about Jackson reef, Red sea including maps, reviews, and ratings...
Thailand Andaman SeaOne of the best divesites for Ao Nang Local Island. A lot of big schools of snappers, fusiliers etc. Macro life very rich with nudibrances, seahorses etc Visibility varies from the low to excellent.
more info about Koh Si including maps, reviews, and ratings...
South Africa Indian OceanA really nice site in test same system as Gasmic Gorge. Lots of outcrops with an abundance of underwater life lots of schooling fish as well as a wide array of fans corals and sponges. Lots of small marine life for the macro photographer as well
more info about Chelsea North, Port Elizabeth including maps, reviews, and ratings...
Saudi Arabia Red SeaA collection of small islands and shallow reefs dropping off into the depths of the red sea. Wonderfull corals, white tip reefs sahrks, reports of hammerheads, eagle and manta rays, turtles, dolphins, barracuda, napoleon wrasse and whalesharks. An excellent site if the weather is calm enough.
more info about Farasan Banks including maps, reviews, and ratings...
Thailand Andaman SeaPopular dive site on the west coast of Thailand between Phuket and Phi Phi Islands. Passenger/Car ferry that sunk in May 1997 after colliding with the submerged pinnacle Anemone reef. The ship is 85m long and 25m wide and consisted of several decks that are partly collapsed due to the fact that the ship was already quiet old when it sank, the divers entering the structure leaving bubbles inside and the sea taking its tribute. The wreck is standing on the sandy bottom at 30m with its shallowest point at around 15m. Loads of swim throughs. The upper part is increasingly covered with small staghorn corals, tree soft coral and sea urchins. Sea slugs, scorpion fish and lion fish are using the wreck as home as well as moray eels, sea snakes and Hawksbill turtles. Big schools of pelagics like trevallies, barracudas and rainbow runners. Visibility and currents can be challenging.
more info about King Cruiser Wreck including maps, reviews, and ratings...
United States PacificOne of the best shore dives on Oahu. Sharks cove is located on the north shore of Oahu. Diving is limited to summer months when the 30 foot surf is on holiday. Get there early as parking fills up fast. There are lots of dives to do there. All are fun and range from 20-60 FSW. Vis is usually 50-75 feet. Be prepared to do a little climbing down to get the the entry points. After you've seen turtles, angel, scorpion & butterfly fish, sharks & eels, shrimp, all kinds of nudibraches and the occational eagle ray, you can bask in the Hawaiian sun to get warm and enjoy the rest of your day. Stop by Matzumoto's on the way home for theee best SHAVE ICE.
Aloha, Stu
more info about Sharks Cove, Oahu Hawaii. including maps, reviews, and ratings...
United Kingdom Atlantic (European coastal)A smaller wreck, usually second dive (after the Hood)
it lies just off the harbour wall and has little current
This wreck can have very low viz. It is in the silty part of Portland harbour but can stll provide some marine life
more info about The Countess Of Erme, Portland Harbour including maps, reviews, and ratings...
New Zealand PacificA beautiful arch which extends from just under the surface right down to 40 metres. Tricky to do unless the sea is calm, since a strong current through the arch makes it difficult and dangerous. Just outside the arch, there are some small caverns with lots of colourful sponges. Sea Temp 19c (Jan 2008)
For photos
website Marine life observed: Lord Howe Coralfish, Kingfish,Grey Moray, Spanish lobster, Red Pigfish, Bigeye, Red Moki, Nudibranchs ( Clown & Verco's Tambja), Rock Cod & Crested Blenny
more info about Tie Dye Arch, The Pinnacles, Poor Knights Islands including maps, reviews, and ratings...
Egypt Red SeaIf conditions are right this is a wonderful drift dive.The coral garden is fantastic and this is the only place I've dived and had a cornet fish swim on my sholder.
more info about Jackson reef including maps, reviews, and ratings...
Thailand Andaman Searoundish limestone rock, north and west side steep wall: soft corals, gorgonians and shoals of snappers, tunas, frogfish. south and eastern side shallow: sandy slopes with staghorn coral fields, boulders with swimthroughs, sea horses, nudibranch, leopard sharks and hawksbill turtles, stingrays.
more info about Bida Nai including maps, reviews, and ratings...